Definition
Something that is nominal is small in amount or insignificant in comparison to what is expected, usual, or necessary. It can also refer to something that is in name only and not in reality or essence.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Adjective
Synonyms
small, insignificant, token, trifling, minimal, nominalistic
Antonyms
substantial, significant, considerable, material, real
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | noun, nominal, nominals, nouns |
| Verb | None |
| Adjective | nominal |
| Adverb | nominally |
Example Sentences
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The fee for this service is nominal; you’ll barely notice it on your bill.
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The company offered him a nominal raise, but it wasn’t enough to keep him from quitting.
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Although she was only given a nominal role in the production, she still put in a lot of effort and time.
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The hotel only charged a nominal fee for the use of its gym and pool facilities.
Usage
The word “nominal” can be used to describe something that is small or insignificant, such as a nominal fee or a nominal amount of money. It can also refer to something that is in name only and not in reality or essence, such as a nominal leader or a nominal democracy.
The word “nominal” can be used with prefixes and suffixes to create related words. For example, “pre-nominal” refers to something that comes before a name or title, such as a pre-nominal adjective. “Nominalize” is a verb that means to turn a word or phrase into a noun, and “nominalization” is the noun form of the verb.
Another variation of the word “nominal” is “nominalistic,” which refers to a philosophical viewpoint that emphasizes the importance of names and labels in understanding the world. A nominalistic approach to language and meaning suggests that words are simply labels that we use to categorize things and ideas, and that there is no inherent connection between a word and its meaning.
Overall, the word “nominal” can be a useful way to describe something that is small or insignificant, or to highlight the difference between what is said or claimed and what is actually true. It can also be used with other words and prefixes to create related terms that explore the role of names and labels in our understanding of the world.